India-UK Forge Deeper AI and Emerging Tech Ties

Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh met UK Minister for AI and Online Safety Kanishka Narayan on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 to strengthen bilateral collaboration in artificial intelligence, critical technologies, and innovation. The discussions advanced the longstanding India-UK Science and Innovation Council framework, with its next meeting set for April 2026 in India.
Both nations reviewed the April 2023 Research and Innovation Memorandum of
Understanding, fostering ties among agencies, universities, research bodies, startups, and
industry for sustainable growth. Dr. Singh highlighted India’s Global Innovation Index climb
from 81st in 2015 to 38th in 2025, driven by scale, digital public infrastructure, startups, and research prowess, making it a prime global partner.
Key areas included telecom research, clean energy, biotechnology, agriculture, ocean and
climate science, advanced materials, manufacturing, and quantum technologies. Under
Department of Science and Technology-UK Research and Innovation telecom ties,
next-generation communication projects are underway. Industrial research supports net zero via advanced manufacturing, renewable storage, and sustainable systems.
The India-UK Net Zero Innovation Partnership accelerates electric mobility, hydrogen,
industrial decarbonization, and carbon capture, aligning with India’s green growth goals.
Plans advanced for a Research and Innovation Corridor linking startups, incubators, hubs,
and industry to boost tech exchange and entrepreneurship.
India showcased flagship missions like the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, Quantum Technology Mission, Geospatial Mission, Electric Mobility initiatives, Deep Ocean Mission, and Biomanufacturing, offering partnership avenues. The meeting signals a commitment to convert dialogue into outcomes ahead of the April summit.